MEN: Hart in the right place

Joe Hart produced the sort of display against Germany that has made him England’s undisputed No.1 over the past few years.

At least two stunning saves at Wembley restored his reputation as the nation’s best goalkeeper and hopefully the media spotlight that has unstintingly followed his every move this season will now move on.

There are plenty of plaudits in this morning’s media, too, despite Roy Hodgson’s side losing 1-0 to an under-strength German side.

Leading the way is the MEN’s Stuart Brennan, who writes: “The last ten days may have been therapeutic for Hart, as he has again teamed up with Dave Watson, the goalkeeping coach who now assists Ray Clemence in the England set-up.

“Watson worked with Hart during his loan season at Birmingham, when the young keeper emerged from the uncertainty generated by Shay Given’s arrival at City, to prove himself a top-class Premier League keeper.

“He was named the best keeper in the league that season, and kicked on from there by returning to City, dislodging Given, and firmly establishing himself as number one for club and country.

“After three weeks of being out of the spotlight, sitting on the bench for club and country, Hart will have been glad that the opposition was Germany – you always know that, sooner or later, you will get worked by Joachim Low’s team.

“Unfortunately for the City man, it took the Germans 38 minutes to find their ‘forward’ gear, and as soon as they did, he was picking the ball out of the net.

Not that the Arsenal man’s goal was Hart’s fault – indeed he denied the giant German with a quite stunning one-handed save moments before

...Stuart Brennan...

Sky Sports pick up on Everton captain Phil Jagielka’s post-match comments about his international team-mate, too. They report: “Hart was handed his first start in over three weeks by England boss Roy Hodgson after being dropped by Manchester City and was one of the bright spots in a disappointing display at Wembley.

“A string of high profile blunders prompted City boss Manuel Pellegrini to leave out Hart, but England defender Jagielka felt he responded well to recent negative headlines.

‘I've backed Joe all the time, all the players have backed Joe all the time," said the Everton player.

‘He's been in for some criticism, some of it a little bit harsh. But Joe's a big boy and that's the only way he can prove his critics wrong by making some fantastic saves.

‘He won't be getting that many pats on the back from the lads because we expect him to do it.’"